US20070048006A1 - Image-forming device facilitating resolution of paper jam - Google Patents
Image-forming device facilitating resolution of paper jam Download PDFInfo
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- US20070048006A1 US20070048006A1 US11/513,134 US51313406A US2007048006A1 US 20070048006 A1 US20070048006 A1 US 20070048006A1 US 51313406 A US51313406 A US 51313406A US 2007048006 A1 US2007048006 A1 US 2007048006A1
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- forming device
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Classifications
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- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/65—Apparatus which relate to the handling of copy material
- G03G15/6502—Supplying of sheet copy material; Cassettes therefor
- G03G15/6511—Feeding devices for picking up or separation of copy sheets
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
- G03G21/1604—Arrangement or disposition of the entire apparatus
- G03G21/1623—Means to access the interior of the apparatus
- G03G21/1638—Means to access the interior of the apparatus directed to paper handling or jam treatment
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/00362—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes relating to the copy medium handling
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- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/01—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes for producing multicoloured copies
- G03G2215/0103—Plural electrographic recording members
- G03G2215/0119—Linear arrangement adjacent plural transfer points
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- G—PHYSICS
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- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
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- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
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Definitions
- the disclosure relates to an image-forming device, and particularly to a tandem-type image-forming device having a pullout section that can be removed from the image-forming device.
- This type of laser printer commonly includes a process unit disposed inside a main casing.
- the process unit includes a plurality of image forming units, each of which includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a charger, and the like.
- This type of image-forming device may also include a conveying belt for conveying a recording medium, such as paper, below the process unit and past each of the image-forming units in the process unit, and a feeding unit disposed to the front of the conveying belt near the lower edge of the opening in the front of the main casing for supplying paper fed from a paper tray onto the top surface of the conveying belt.
- the feeding unit may include a pair of guide parts disposed one on either side of a paper-conveying path and having opposing arc-shaped surfaces, and a pair of conveying rollers for pinching and conveying the paper.
- paper is interposed between a feeding roller and a separating pad to ensure that the paper is separated and fed one sheet at a time.
- the friction generated with the separating pad tends to deposit paper dust and the like on the paper. If these deposits become mixed with the toner and deposited in the image formed on the paper, the quality of the formed images will degrade.
- an image-forming device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent-Application Publication No. 2003-81477 provides an electrically charged deposition-removing roller on the paper-conveying path.
- the deposition-removing roller rotates and attracts matter deposited on the paper.
- a scraping member formed of sponge or the like and disposed in contact with the deposition-removing roller scrapes the deposited matter off the deposition-removing roller.
- the deposited matter scraped off by the scraping member is collected in a deposition-collecting vessel.
- an object of the invention to provide an image-forming device capable of facilitating an operation for resolving a paper jam, while not necessitating an increase in size of the device.
- the invention provides an image-forming device including a main casing having a surface formed with an opening, a process unit having a plurality of image-forming units that forms images on a recording medium, the process unit being horizontally attachable to and detachable from the main casing through the opening, a conveying belt that is disposed below the process unit and conveys the recording medium, a feeding unit that is disposed between the opening and the conveying belt and includes a first part and a second part opposing the first part, the feeding unit feeding the recording medium between the first part and the second part onto the conveying belt, and a cover capable of opening and closing over the opening.
- the first part of the feeding unit is displaceable together with the cover.
- An upper edge of the cover in an open state is positioned lower than an upper end of the second part of the feeding unit.
- an image-forming device including a main casing having a surface formed with an opening, a cover capable of opening and closing over the opening, a deposition removing unit that is disposed on the cover and removes matter deposited on a recording medium, and a deposition collecting unit that is disposed inside the main casing and collects the matter removed by the deposition removing unit.
- FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the general structure of a laser printer according to first illustrative aspects of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the laser printer in FIG. 1 when a front cover is open;
- FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the laser printer of FIG. 1 when a sheet supply cassette is being removed;
- FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the laser printer in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure of the laser printer taken along a line V-V in FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the removal of paper dust from paper
- FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the laser printer when the process unit is partially removed
- FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the removal of a belt unit of the laser printer in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a laser printer according to second illustrative aspects of the invention.
- FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the removal of a belt unit of the laser printer in FIG. 9 ;
- FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of a laser printer according to third illustrative aspects of the invention.
- a laser printer 1 as an image-forming device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 .
- the right side in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the “front side” of the laser printer 1 .
- the laser printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a color laser printer having a direct transfer tandem system. As shown in FIG. 1 , the laser printer 1 includes a box-shaped main casing 2 formed with an access opening 2 A in the front surface thereof. A front cover 3 is attached to the main casing 2 for covering and exposing the-access opening 2 A.
- a discharge tray 5 is formed on the top of the main casing 2 for supporting a stack of sheets of paper 4 that have been formed with images.
- a sheet supply cassette 7 is disposed in the lower section of the main casing 2 .
- the sheet supply cassette 7 can be detached from the main casing 2 by being pulled toward the front.
- the sheet supply cassette 7 has an open-top box shape, providing a sheet accommodate space 7 B therein.
- a pressing plate 9 is disposed inside the sheet accommodate space 7 B for supporting a stack of sheets of paper 4 .
- the pressing plate 9 is pivotable to lift up the front end of the paper 4 due to urging force of a spring 8 .
- a pickup roller 10 and a separating pad 11 are disposed above a front end 7 C of the sheet accommodate space 7 B.
- a spring (not shown) urges the separating pad 11 against the pickup roller 10 .
- a pair of sheet supply rollers 12 ( 12 A, 12 B) is disposed diagonally above and frontward of the pickup roller 10 .
- the sheet supply roller 12 A is disposed to the front of the sheet supply roller 12 B.
- a pair of registration rollers 13 ( 13 A, 13 B) is disposed above the pair of sheet supply rollers 12 .
- the registration roller 13 A also serves as a paper dust removing roller.
- the sheet supply roller 12 A and the separating pad 11 are supported on the sheet supply cassette 7 . Therefore, when the sheet supply cassette 7 is pulled out of the main casing 2 , as shown in FIG. 3 , the sheet supply roller 12 A and the separating pad 11 are also pulled out together with the sheet supply cassette 7 .
- a top-most sheet of paper 4 on the pressing plate 9 is urged toward the pickup roller 10 .
- Rotation of the pickup roller 10 brings the paper 4 to a position between the pickup roller 10 and the separating pad 11 , and a single sheet of paper 4 is separated from the stack at one time.
- the sheet of paper 4 supplied by the pickup roller 10 and the separating pad 11 is conveyed to the registration rollers 13 by the sheet supply rollers 12 .
- the registration rollers 13 perform a registration operation on the paper 4 at a proper timing and then convey the paper 4 to a belt unit 15 disposed to the rear of the registration rollers 13 .
- the main casing 2 is formed integrally with a main-casing-side guide part 98 near the bottom edge of the access opening 2 A.
- the main-casing-side guide part 98 is formed to project to a height B 1 greater than a height A 1 to the top surface of a conveying belt 18 described later and has an arc-shaped surface with the highest point of the arc on top.
- the main-casing-side guide part 98 functions to guide the paper 4 to a paper-conveying path on the top of the belt unit 15 positioned slightly lower than the main-casing-side guide part 98 .
- a scanner unit 27 is fixed in the upper section of the main casing 2 and emits laser lights L for respective colors based on prescribed image data.
- the laser lights L irradiate, in a high speed scanning operation, the surfaces of corresponding photosensitive drums 31 to be described later.
- a process unit 25 is disposed below the scanner unit 27 and inward of the access opening 2 A.
- the process unit 25 includes four process cartridges 26 , each corresponding to toner for one of four colors magenta, yellow, cyan, and black.
- Each process cartridge 26 includes the photosensitive drum 31 , a Scorotron charger 32 , and a developing cartridge 34 .
- the process unit 25 also includes a frame 29 that has four cartridge frames 30 arranged in a front-to-rear direction. Each cartridge frame 30 is open on the top and bottom and functions to receive the corresponding developing cartridge 34 mounted therein.
- the photosensitive drum 31 is retained at a position on the lower edge of the cartridge frame 30 , and the charger 32 is retained adjacent to the photosensitive drum 31 .
- the photosensitive drum 31 includes a metal main drum that is grounded.
- the surface of the main drum is coated with a positively charging photosensitive layer formed of polycarbonate or the like.
- the charger 32 is disposed in confrontation with the photosensitive drum 31 at a position diagonally above and rearward of the photosensitive drum 31 .
- the charger 32 is spaced away from the photosensitive drum 31 so as to avoid direct contact with the photosensitive drum 31 .
- the charger 32 generates a corona discharge from a charging wire, such as a tungsten wire, for example, thereby applying a uniform charge of positive polarity across the entire surface of the photosensitive drum 31 .
- Each developing cartridge 34 has a substantially box shape, and a toner accommodating chamber 38 is formed in the upper section of the developing cartridge 34 .
- the toner accommodating chamber 38 is filled with positive charging non-magnetic, single component toner for corresponding one of four colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.
- An agitator 42 for agitating the toner is disposed inside the toner accommodating chamber 38 .
- the developing cartridge 34 further includes a supply roller 39 , a developing roller 40 , and a thickness regulating blade 41 , all disposed below the toner accommodating chamber 38 .
- the supply roller 39 includes a metal roller shaft covered with a conductive foam material
- the developing roller 40 includes a metal roller shaft coated with a conductive rubber material.
- the toner discharged from the toner accommodating chamber 38 is supplied to the developing roller 40 by the rotation of the supply roller 39 and positively tribocharged between the supply roller 39 and the developing roller 40 .
- the toner on the developing roller 40 passes between the thickness regulating blade 41 and the developing roller 40 , where the toner is even further tribocharged, while being regulated to a toner layer of a predetermined thin thickness on the developing roller 40 .
- the charger 32 applies a uniform charge of positive polarity across the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 . Subsequently, the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is exposed by the high-scanning of the laser beam L emitted from the scanner unit 27 . As a result, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 .
- the toner When the positively charged toner carried on the surface of the developing roller 40 opposes and contacts the. photosensitive drum, 31 as the developing roller 40 rotates, the toner is selectively supplied to the electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drum 31 . As a result, the electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drum 31 are transformed into visible toner images. In this way, a reverse development is performed.
- the belt unit 15 is disposed beneath the process unit 25 and includes a pair of support rollers 16 and 17 separated from each other in the front-to-rear direction, the conveying belt 18 looped around the support rollers 16 and 17 so as to extend horizontally, and a metal backup roller 22 .
- the belt unit 15 is detachably mounted in the main casing 2 .
- the support roller 17 disposed on the rear side of the support roller 16 is a drive roller that is driven to rotate by a driving force inputted from a motor (not shown).
- the support roller 16 disposed on the front side is a tension roller for applying tension to the conveying belt 18 .
- the conveying belt 18 is an endless belt formed of a synthetic resin material, such as polycarbonate. When the support roller 17 is driven to rotate, the conveying belt 18 moves circuitously in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 for conveying a sheet of the paper 4 resting on the top surface of the conveying belt 18 rearward.
- Transfer rollers 19 are arranged at regular intervals in the front-to-rear direction inside the conveying belt 18 and are positioned opposite each of the photosensitive drums 31 so that the conveying belt 18 is interposed between the transfer rollers 19 and the respective photosensitive drums 31 .
- a transfer bias is applied between the transfer rollers 19 and the photosensitive drums 31 .
- the toner image borne on the surface of each photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto the paper 4 by a negative transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 19 , as the paper 4 on the conveying belt 18 passes through a transfer position between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer roller 19 .
- the paper 4 with the toner images is conveyed to a fixing unit 43 .
- the fixing unit 43 is disposed on the rear side of the conveying belt 18 within the main casing 2 , and includes a heat roller 44 , which is a driving roller, and a pressing roller 45 , which is a driven roller.
- the heat roller 44 includes a heat source, such as a halogen lamp.
- the pressing roller 45 is disposed in pressed contact with the heat roller 44 .
- toner images of four colors are thermally fixed onto the paper 4 as the paper 4 is conveyed between the heat roller 44 and the pressing roller 45 .
- the paper 4 with the toner images fixed thereon is conveyed by a conveying roller 46 disposed diagonally above and rearward of the fixing unit 43 to discharge rollers 47 disposed in the upper section of the main casing 2 .
- the discharge rollers 47 discharge the paper 4 onto the discharge tray 5 .
- a cleaning roller 21 is disposed below the belt unit 15 for removing toner, paper dust, and the like clinging to the conveying belt 18 .
- the cleaning roller 21 includes a metal shaft coated with a foamed material made of silicon, and is in confrontation with the backup roller 22 with the conveying belt 18 interposed therebetween.
- a prescribed bias is applied between the cleaning roller 21 and the backup roller 22 for electrically attracting toner and the like carried on the surface of the conveying belt 18 toward the cleaning roller 21 .
- a metal collecting roller 23 is disposed in contact with the cleaning roller 21 for removing toner and the like deposited on the surface of the cleaning roller 21 .
- a blade 24 is disposed in contact with the collecting roller 23 for scraping off toner and the like carried on the surface of the collecting roller 23 .
- the front cover 3 includes a main cover body 95 that blocks the access opening 2 A of the main casing 2 , a pair of left and right joining parts 96 protruding from both side edges of the main cover body 95 , and a mounting shaft 3 A disposed on the lower edges of the joining parts 96 .
- the mounting shaft 3 A is attached to a position near the lower edge of the main casing 2 on the front surface thereof so that the front cover 3 can pivot about the mounting shaft 3 A.
- the front cover 3 is capable of pivoting between a closed position shown in FIG. 1 closed over the access opening 2 A, and an open position shown in FIG. 2 pivoted forward 90 degrees from the closed position (so that the front surface of the main cover body 95 is horizontal) for exposing the access opening 2 A.
- the main cover body 95 has a substantially triangular cross-section that increases in thickness toward the bottom.
- the registration roller 13 A is mounted in the bottom end of the main cover body 95 .
- a cover-side guide part 97 is formed integrally with the bottom surface of the main cover body 95 downstream (rearward) of the registration roller 13 A in the paper-conveying direction.
- the cover-side guide part 97 has a concave arc-shaped surface to correspond to the shape of the main-casing-side guide part 98 .
- the paper 4 conveyed by the registration rollers 13 is guided along the cover-side guide part 97 and the main-casing-side guide part 98 so as to contact the top surface of the conveying belt 18 near the front edge thereof at an angle sloping downward.
- the paper 4 is guided onto the conveying belt 18 at an angle because there is potential for the paper 4 to float off the surface of the conveying belt 18 if the paper 4 were to contact the surface of the conveying belt 18 while moving in a direction parallel to the surface.
- the paper 4 is pressed against the surface, ensuring that the paper 4 remains in contact with the surface of the conveying belt 18 .
- An accommodating chamber 68 is formed substantially in the lower half of the main cover body 95 for accommodating a paper dust removing unit 70 and an auger member 80 described below.
- the paper dust removing unit 70 functions to remove paper dust deposited on the paper 4 .
- the paper dust removing unit 70 includes the registration roller 13 A, a sponge member 72 , a paper dust receiving section 73 , and an elastic member 69 .
- the registration roller 13 A functions as the paper dust removing roller for attracting paper dust deposited on the paper 4 to the surface of the registration roller 13 A as the paper 4 is conveyed by the registration roller 13 A.
- the sponge member 72 is for scraping paper dust off the surface of the registration roller 13 A.
- the paper dust receiving section 73 is for receiving paper dust scraped off by the sponge member 72 .
- the elastic member 69 is a spring, for example.
- the registration roller 13 A has a metal roller shaft that is oriented parallel to the mounting shaft 3 A of the front cover 3 .
- the portion of the peripheral surface of the registration roller 13 A opposing the registration roller 13 B supported on the main casing 2 is exposed out of the accommodating chamber 68 .
- the surface of the registration roller 13 A is formed of a fluorocarbon resin that readily charges. As the registration roller 13 A rotates and contacts the sponge member 72 with friction, an static charge is produced on the surface of the registration roller 13 A. This static charge attracts paper dust from the paper 4 .
- the roller shaft of the registration roller 13 A is supported in a support member (not shown) of the main cover body 95 .
- a motor (not shown) operating at a prescribed timing supplies a driving force via a gear mechanism linked to the registration roller 13 A for rotating the registration roller 13 A in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1 .
- the same motor also drives the registration roller 13 B in the main casing 2 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1 so that a sheet of paper 4 interposed between the registration rollers 13 A and 13 B is conveyed at a prescribed timing.
- the sponge member 72 is configured of urethane foam or the like in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
- One surface of the sponge member 72 is connected to an upper wall in the accommodating chamber 68 via the elastic member 69 .
- the elastic force of the elastic member 69 urges the sponge member 72 to contact the surface of the registration roller 13 A.
- the paper dust receiving section 73 is an arc-shaped depression extending along the entire width of the paper-conveying path.
- the auger member 80 is provided inside the paper dust receiving section 73 across the entire width thereof. As shown in FIG. 4 , the auger member 80 is integrally formed of a shaft member 82 and a spiral part 83 formed around the shaft member 82 . An auger drive gear (not shown) is provided on one end of the shaft member 82 for inputting a driving force from a motor (not shown). The driving force inputted from the motor drives the auger member 80 to rotate.
- the spiral part 83 spirals around the shaft member 82 in different directions on either side of an approximate center point so that the spiral part 83 can convey paper dust in different directions. Hence, when the auger member 80 is rotated in a prescribed direction, the paper dust inside the paper dust receiving section 73 is conveyed to the nearest end of the auger member 80 .
- Paper dust passages 81 are also formed in the front cover 3 in communication with the paper dust receiving section 73 ( FIG. 1 ) on the widthwise sides of the paper conveying direction.
- the paper dust passages 81 are vertically oriented tube-shaped members having a sufficient diameter to allow the passage of paper dust. Therefore, paper dust conveyed by the auger member 80 to both widthwise ends in the main casing 2 falls through the paper dust passages 81 .
- a pair of paper dust collecting vessels 90 is provided inside the main casing 2 , one at either widthwise end of the paper-conveying path.
- the paper dust collecting vessels 90 have space for accommodating paper dust that falls through the paper dust passages 81 .
- the paper dust collecting vessels 90 are disposed above the paper-conveying path, for example, there is generally little space for accommodating the paper dust collecting vessels 90 .
- the paper dust collecting vessels 90 of the laser printer 1 according to the illustrative aspects are disposed to a relatively large space outside the paper-conveying path.
- Each of the paper dust collecting vessels 90 includes a first storage part 91 and a second storage part 92 , both shaped substantially like rectangular parallelepipeds.
- the first storage part 91 is provided between the belt unit 15 ( FIG. 1 ) and the sheet supply cassette 7 , and beneath the paper-conveying path.
- the second storage part 92 is disposed between the sheet supply cassette 7 and a side wall 2 B of the main casing 2 and is in communication with the first storage part 91 .
- a protruding part 91 A protrudes upward from the top surface of each first storage part 91 .
- a through-hole 90 A vertically penetrates the center region of each protruding part 91 A.
- the first storage parts 91 of the paper dust collecting vessels 90 are disposed between the belt unit 15 and the sheet supply cassette 7 in a space below the paper-conveying path. Accordingly, this configuration not only effectively uses space below the paper-conveying path, but also ensures sufficient capacity for accommodating paper dust. Further, the paper dust can be accumulated naturally, rather than going against gravity.
- This construction also makes effective use of space on the side of the sheet supply cassette 7 by disposing the second storage part 92 of the paper dust collecting vessels 90 between the sheet supply cassette 7 and the side wall 2 B of the main casing 2 .
- a protrusion 93 is provided on the bottom wall of each first storage part 91 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom wall.
- An interference part 94 is provided on the upper portion of each side wall of the sheet supply cassette 7 and has a chevron-shaped protrusion on the top surface thereof.
- the interference part 94 is pivotably supported at one end by a shaft 94 B.
- An elastic member 94 A such as a spring, is disposed on the underside surface of the interference part 94 for urging the interference part 94 upward.
- the interference part 94 interferes with the protrusion 93 as the interference part 94 is urged by the elastic force of the elastic member, applying a vibration to the paper dust collecting vessels 90 .
- This vibration has the effect of gradually evening the level of paper dust in the, first storage part 91 that has fallen through the through-hole 90 A almost directly downward so that paper dust can more easily be stored in the second storage part 92 and the effect of reducing unevenness in the accumulated paper dust.
- the pair of registration rollers 13 described earlier together with the cover-side guide part 97 and the main-casing-side guide part 98 constitute a feeding unit 50 shown in FIG. 1 .
- the registration rollers 13 convey the paper 4 downstream (rearward) at a prescribed timing.
- the cover-side guide part 97 and the main-casing-side guide part 98 guide the paper 4 onto the conveying belt 18 in the belt unit 15 .
- the operator can pull the front cover 3 forward from the closed position to the open position.
- the registration roller 13 A and the cover-side guide part 97 of the feeding unit 50 move together with the front cover 3 and separate from the registration roller 13 B and the main-casing-side guide part 98 , respectively, thereby exposing the paper-conveying path.
- the paper-conveying path can be exposed by opening a portion of the feeding unit 50 together with the front cover 3 , thereby facilitating an operation to resolve a paper jam.
- the paper dust removing unit 70 and the auger member 80 are provided on the front cover 3 so as to be capable of moving together with the front cover 3 when the front cover 3 is opened.
- the paper dust removing unit 70 and the auger member 80 are not in the way when clearing a paper jam in the main casing 2 , unlike when the paper dust removing unit 70 is fixed inside the main casing 2 , thereby facilitating the resolution of paper jams.
- the paper dust collecting vessels 90 can more easily be provided with the required capacity for collecting paper dust than when provided on the front cover 3 .
- paper dust is collected in the paper dust collecting vessels 90 provided inside the main casing 2 , paper dust is less likely to scatter when the front cover 3 is opened than when the paper dust collecting vessels 90 are provided to the front cover 3 .
- the registration roller 13 A functions to remove paper dust from the paper 4 . This construction minimizes the number of required rollers, thereby making the laser printer 1 simpler and more compact.
- the mounting and removal operation for the process unit 25 and the belt unit 15 will be described.
- the operator pulls the process unit 25 forward when the front cover 3 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2 .
- the process unit 25 moves diagonally upward along guiding means (not shown) provided in the main casing 2 . Since the photosensitive drums 31 in the process unit 25 separate from the conveying belt 18 through this operation, the process unit 25 can be smoothly pulled out of the main casing 2 , without the photosensitive drums 31 sliding in contact with the conveying belt 18 .
- the process unit 25 is raised so that the bottom end of the process unit 25 (i.e., the bottom edges of the photosensitive drums 31 ) is positioned slightly higher than the height B 1 to the top edge of the main-casing-side guide part 98 . Subsequently, the process unit 25 is pulled forward in the horizontal direction while maintained at this height (see FIG. 7 ). At this time, as shown in FIG. 7 , the highest edge of the front cover 3 in the open position has a height C, which is lower than the height B 1 by a distance B, thereby preventing the front cover 3 from interfering with the process unit 25 .
- this construction not only prevents the front cover 3 from interfering with the process unit 25 when the process unit 25 is removed through the access opening 2 A of the main casing 2 , but facilitates operations to resolve paper jams.
- the developing cartridges 34 become accessible and can be replaced outside the main casing 2 .
- the process unit 25 would have to be lifted to a position higher than the topmost edge of the front cover 3 when removing the process unit 25 in order to avoid interference with the front cover 3 .
- the open position of the front cover 3 to a prescribed angle (a position slightly lower than the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2 ), such that at least a portion of the cover-side guide part 97 is lower than the height B 1 of the main-casing-side guide part 98 .
- the height C to the topmost edge of the front cover 3 in the open position may be set to a height at least lower than the height of the main-casing-side guide part 98 .
- the height C to the uppermost edge of the front cover 3 in the open position or at least a portion of the cover-side guide part 97 should be lower than the height A 1 to the top surface of the conveying belt 18 .
- the height C is lower than the height Al by a distance A in FIG. 2 .
- the process unit 25 is first removed from the main casing 2 , as described above, and the belt unit 15 is subsequently removed through the access opening 2 A.
- FIGS. 9 and 10 a laser printer 201 according to second illustrative aspects of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 .
- like parts and components with those in the first embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description.
- the laser printer 201 has a belt unit case 100 for accommodating the belt unit 15 , as shown in FIG. 9 .
- the belt unit 15 is mounted and removed together with the belt unit case 100 .
- the belt unit case 100 is integrally configured of a belt unit accommodating section 102 capable of accommodating the entire belt unit 15 , and a guide member 101 for guiding-the paper 4 .
- the belt unit accommodating section 102 has a box shape and is slightly larger than the belt unit 15 .
- a through-hole 102 A is formed in the bottom surface of the belt unit accommodating section 102 so that the backup roller 22 confronts and contacts the cleaning roller 21 via the conveying belt 18 .
- the guide member 101 is disposed on the front end of the belt unit case 100 .
- the guide member 101 functions to guide the paper 4 fed by the pickup roller 10 onto the conveying belt 18 in the same manner as the main-casing-side guide part 98 of the above-described laser printer 1 .
- the main-casing-side guide part 98 is dispensed with in the laser printer 201 of the second illustrative aspects.
- Paper dust through-holes 110 are formed through the guide member 101 on both widthwise ends of the paper-conveying path.
- Paper dust passages 181 are formed in the front cover 3 for allowing the passage of paper dust. Paper dust that falls through the paper dust passages 181 passes through the paper dust through-holes 110 formed in the guide member 101 and accumulates in paper dust collecting vessels 190 .
- the operator In order to remove the belt unit 15 , the operator first opens the front cover 3 and removes the process unit 25 through the access opening 2 A, as shown in FIG. 10 . Next, while the process unit 25 is removed from the main casing 2 , the operator grips the guide member 101 and lifts the belt unit case 100 slightly to disengage shaft receiving parts (not shown) supporting the shafts of the support rollers 16 and 17 from positioning members (not shown) provided in the main casing 2 and functioning to position the shaft receiving parts. At this time, the belt unit case 100 and the belt unit 15 are removed integrally through the access opening 2 A of the main casing 2 .
- paper dust removed from the paper 4 passes through the paper dust through-holes 110 and collects in the paper dust collecting vessels 190 disposed below the belt unit 15 .
- FIG. 11 a laser printer 301 according to third illustrative aspects of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11 .
- like parts and components with those in the first illustrative aspects are designated with the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description.
- the laser printer 301 has a sheet supply cassette 117 that is wider than the sheet supply cassette 7 of the above-described laser printer 1 , and second storage parts 111 of paper dust collecting vessels 290 are provided in the sheet supply cassette 117 on either side of the paper 4 , that is, in the ends of the sheet supply cassette 117 not occupied by the paper 4 . Accordingly, this construction not only effectively uses space inside the sheet supply cassette 117 , but also enables the removal of paper dust when the sheet supply cassette 117 is pulled out of the main casing 2 .
- the interference parts 94 provided on the sheet supply cassette 7 are configured to interfere with the paper dust collecting vessels 90 .
- another structure may be employed to apply vibrations to the paper dust collecting vessels 90 , such as a structure that disposes the interference parts 94 on the paper dust collecting vessels 90 .
- paper dust is collected in the paper dust collecting vessels 90 .
- the laser printer may be configured to collect paper dust with a container having another shape and the like.
- the invention may also be applied to a device employing two colors of toner, such as red and black, or six colors of toner.
- the feeding unit 50 may also include a sensor for detecting the position of the paper, ribs for guiding the paper, and the like.
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Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2005-252780 and 2005-277899 filed Aug. 31, 2005 and Sep. 26, 2005, respectively. The entire content of each of these priority applications is incorporated herein by reference.
- The disclosure relates to an image-forming device, and particularly to a tandem-type image-forming device having a pullout section that can be removed from the image-forming device.
- There has been known a tandem-type color laser printer as an electrophotographic type image forming device. This type of laser printer commonly includes a process unit disposed inside a main casing. The process unit includes a plurality of image forming units, each of which includes a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a charger, and the like.
- In one such image-forming device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent-Application Publication No. 2003-107838, developing units and other components in the image-forming units can be replaced by opening a cover provided on the front surface of the main casing and pulling the process unit out of the main casing through an opening formed in the front side thereof. This type of image-forming device may also include a conveying belt for conveying a recording medium, such as paper, below the process unit and past each of the image-forming units in the process unit, and a feeding unit disposed to the front of the conveying belt near the lower edge of the opening in the front of the main casing for supplying paper fed from a paper tray onto the top surface of the conveying belt. As one example, the feeding unit may include a pair of guide parts disposed one on either side of a paper-conveying path and having opposing arc-shaped surfaces, and a pair of conveying rollers for pinching and conveying the paper.
- With this construction, it is effective to configure the feeding unit so that a portion of the feeding unit, such as one of the guide parts, one of the conveying rollers, and the like, can be moved relative to the opposing guide part and the opposing conveying roller in order to temporarily open a portion of the paper-conveying path to facilitate the resolution of paper jams. However, it is necessary to prevent a conflict between the movable portion of the feeding unit and the process unit when the process unit is removed. Therefore, it is necessary to provide clearance for removing the process unit from the main casing, which may lead to an increased overall size of the image-forming device.
- Further, in an image-forming device, paper is interposed between a feeding roller and a separating pad to ensure that the paper is separated and fed one sheet at a time. The friction generated with the separating pad tends to deposit paper dust and the like on the paper. If these deposits become mixed with the toner and deposited in the image formed on the paper, the quality of the formed images will degrade.
- Therefore, an image-forming device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent-Application Publication No. 2003-81477 provides an electrically charged deposition-removing roller on the paper-conveying path. The deposition-removing roller rotates and attracts matter deposited on the paper. Subsequently, a scraping member formed of sponge or the like and disposed in contact with the deposition-removing roller scrapes the deposited matter off the deposition-removing roller. The deposited matter scraped off by the scraping member is collected in a deposition-collecting vessel.
- With this type of image-forming device, it is necessary to temporarily open a cover on the main casing when paper becomes jammed during an image-forming operation in order to resolve the paper jam. However, with the existence of the deposition-removing roller in the main casing, there is potential for the deposition-removing roller to interfere with the operation for resolving paper jams.
- In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an image-forming device capable of facilitating an operation for resolving a paper jam, while not necessitating an increase in size of the device.
- In order to attain the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the invention provides an image-forming device including a main casing having a surface formed with an opening, a process unit having a plurality of image-forming units that forms images on a recording medium, the process unit being horizontally attachable to and detachable from the main casing through the opening, a conveying belt that is disposed below the process unit and conveys the recording medium, a feeding unit that is disposed between the opening and the conveying belt and includes a first part and a second part opposing the first part, the feeding unit feeding the recording medium between the first part and the second part onto the conveying belt, and a cover capable of opening and closing over the opening. The first part of the feeding unit is displaceable together with the cover. An upper edge of the cover in an open state is positioned lower than an upper end of the second part of the feeding unit.
- According to a different aspect, there is also provided an image-forming device including a main casing having a surface formed with an opening, a cover capable of opening and closing over the opening, a deposition removing unit that is disposed on the cover and removes matter deposited on a recording medium, and a deposition collecting unit that is disposed inside the main casing and collects the matter removed by the deposition removing unit.
- Illustrative aspects in accordance with the invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the general structure of a laser printer according to first illustrative aspects of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the laser printer inFIG. 1 when a front cover is open; -
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the laser printer ofFIG. 1 when a sheet supply cassette is being removed; -
FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the laser printer inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure of the laser printer taken along a line V-V inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the removal of paper dust from paper; -
FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the laser printer when the process unit is partially removed; -
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the removal of a belt unit of the laser printer inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a laser printer according to second illustrative aspects of the invention; -
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the removal of a belt unit of the laser printer inFIG. 9 ; and -
FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of a laser printer according to third illustrative aspects of the invention. - An image-forming device according to some aspects of the invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description.
- First, a
laser printer 1 as an image-forming device according to first illustrative aspects of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In the following description, the right side inFIG. 1 will be referred to as the “front side” of thelaser printer 1. - The
laser printer 1 shown inFIG. 1 is a color laser printer having a direct transfer tandem system. As shown inFIG. 1 , thelaser printer 1 includes a box-shapedmain casing 2 formed with anaccess opening 2A in the front surface thereof. Afront cover 3 is attached to themain casing 2 for covering and exposing the-access opening 2A. - A
discharge tray 5 is formed on the top of themain casing 2 for supporting a stack of sheets ofpaper 4 that have been formed with images. - A
sheet supply cassette 7 is disposed in the lower section of themain casing 2. Thesheet supply cassette 7 can be detached from themain casing 2 by being pulled toward the front. - The
sheet supply cassette 7 has an open-top box shape, providing a sheet accommodatespace 7B therein. Apressing plate 9 is disposed inside the sheet accommodatespace 7B for supporting a stack of sheets ofpaper 4. Thepressing plate 9 is pivotable to lift up the front end of thepaper 4 due to urging force of aspring 8. Apickup roller 10 and a separatingpad 11 are disposed above afront end 7C of the sheet accommodatespace 7B. A spring (not shown) urges the separatingpad 11 against thepickup roller 10. - A pair of sheet supply rollers 12 (12A, 12B) is disposed diagonally above and frontward of the
pickup roller 10. Thesheet supply roller 12A is disposed to the front of thesheet supply roller 12B. A pair of registration rollers 13 (13A, 13B) is disposed above the pair ofsheet supply rollers 12. As will be described later, theregistration roller 13A also serves as a paper dust removing roller. - The
sheet supply roller 12A and the separatingpad 11 are supported on thesheet supply cassette 7. Therefore, when thesheet supply cassette 7 is pulled out of themain casing 2, as shown inFIG. 3 , thesheet supply roller 12A and the separatingpad 11 are also pulled out together with thesheet supply cassette 7. - With this configuration, when a paper jam occurs near the
pickup roller 10 or thesheet supply rollers 12, a jammed paper can be easily removed by pulling thesheet supply cassette 7 out of themain casing 2. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , a top-most sheet ofpaper 4 on thepressing plate 9 is urged toward thepickup roller 10. Rotation of thepickup roller 10 brings thepaper 4 to a position between thepickup roller 10 and theseparating pad 11, and a single sheet ofpaper 4 is separated from the stack at one time. The sheet ofpaper 4 supplied by thepickup roller 10 and theseparating pad 11 is conveyed to theregistration rollers 13 by thesheet supply rollers 12. Theregistration rollers 13 perform a registration operation on thepaper 4 at a proper timing and then convey thepaper 4 to abelt unit 15 disposed to the rear of theregistration rollers 13. - The
main casing 2 is formed integrally with a main-casing-side guide part 98 near the bottom edge of theaccess opening 2A. As shown inFIG. 2 , the main-casing-side guide part 98 is formed to project to a height B1 greater than a height A1 to the top surface of a conveyingbelt 18 described later and has an arc-shaped surface with the highest point of the arc on top. The main-casing-side guide part 98 functions to guide thepaper 4 to a paper-conveying path on the top of thebelt unit 15 positioned slightly lower than the main-casing-side guide part 98. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , ascanner unit 27 is fixed in the upper section of themain casing 2 and emits laser lights L for respective colors based on prescribed image data. The laser lights L irradiate, in a high speed scanning operation, the surfaces of correspondingphotosensitive drums 31 to be described later. - A
process unit 25 is disposed below thescanner unit 27 and inward of theaccess opening 2A. Theprocess unit 25 includes fourprocess cartridges 26, each corresponding to toner for one of four colors magenta, yellow, cyan, and black. Eachprocess cartridge 26 includes thephotosensitive drum 31, aScorotron charger 32, and a developingcartridge 34. - The
process unit 25 also includes aframe 29 that has fourcartridge frames 30 arranged in a front-to-rear direction. Eachcartridge frame 30 is open on the top and bottom and functions to receive the corresponding developingcartridge 34 mounted therein. Thephotosensitive drum 31 is retained at a position on the lower edge of thecartridge frame 30, and thecharger 32 is retained adjacent to thephotosensitive drum 31. - The
photosensitive drum 31 includes a metal main drum that is grounded. The surface of the main drum is coated with a positively charging photosensitive layer formed of polycarbonate or the like. - The
charger 32 is disposed in confrontation with thephotosensitive drum 31 at a position diagonally above and rearward of thephotosensitive drum 31. Thecharger 32 is spaced away from thephotosensitive drum 31 so as to avoid direct contact with thephotosensitive drum 31. Thecharger 32 generates a corona discharge from a charging wire, such as a tungsten wire, for example, thereby applying a uniform charge of positive polarity across the entire surface of thephotosensitive drum 31. - Each developing
cartridge 34 has a substantially box shape, and atoner accommodating chamber 38 is formed in the upper section of the developingcartridge 34. Thetoner accommodating chamber 38 is filled with positive charging non-magnetic, single component toner for corresponding one of four colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Anagitator 42 for agitating the toner is disposed inside thetoner accommodating chamber 38. The developingcartridge 34 further includes asupply roller 39, a developingroller 40, and athickness regulating blade 41, all disposed below thetoner accommodating chamber 38. - The
supply roller 39 includes a metal roller shaft covered with a conductive foam material, and the developingroller 40 includes a metal roller shaft coated with a conductive rubber material. - The toner discharged from the
toner accommodating chamber 38 is supplied to the developingroller 40 by the rotation of thesupply roller 39 and positively tribocharged between thesupply roller 39 and the developingroller 40. In association with the rotation of the developingroller 40, the toner on the developingroller 40 passes between thethickness regulating blade 41 and the developingroller 40, where the toner is even further tribocharged, while being regulated to a toner layer of a predetermined thin thickness on the developingroller 40. - As the
photosensitive drum 31 rotates, first thecharger 32 applies a uniform charge of positive polarity across the surface of thephotosensitive drum 31. Subsequently, the surface of thephotosensitive drum 31 is exposed by the high-scanning of the laser beam L emitted from thescanner unit 27. As a result, electrostatic latent images are formed on the surface of thephotosensitive drum 31. - When the positively charged toner carried on the surface of the developing
roller 40 opposes and contacts the. photosensitive drum,31 as the developingroller 40 rotates, the toner is selectively supplied to the electrostatic latent images on thephotosensitive drum 31. As a result, the electrostatic latent images on thephotosensitive drum 31 are transformed into visible toner images. In this way, a reverse development is performed. - The
belt unit 15 is disposed beneath theprocess unit 25 and includes a pair ofsupport rollers belt 18 looped around thesupport rollers metal backup roller 22. Thebelt unit 15 is detachably mounted in themain casing 2. - The
support roller 17 disposed on the rear side of thesupport roller 16 is a drive roller that is driven to rotate by a driving force inputted from a motor (not shown). Thesupport roller 16 disposed on the front side is a tension roller for applying tension to the conveyingbelt 18. The conveyingbelt 18 is an endless belt formed of a synthetic resin material, such as polycarbonate. When thesupport roller 17 is driven to rotate, the conveyingbelt 18 moves circuitously in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 1 for conveying a sheet of thepaper 4 resting on the top surface of the conveyingbelt 18 rearward. Fourtransfer rollers 19 are arranged at regular intervals in the front-to-rear direction inside the conveyingbelt 18 and are positioned opposite each of thephotosensitive drums 31 so that the conveyingbelt 18 is interposed between thetransfer rollers 19 and the respectivephotosensitive drums 31. During a transfer operation, a transfer bias is applied between thetransfer rollers 19 and the photosensitive drums 31. When thebelt unit 15 is mounted in themain casing 2, thesupport roller 17 is engaged with a gear mechanism (not shown) provided in themain casing 2 and is driven to rotate by the driving force of the motor provided in themain casing 2 that is transmitted via the gear mechanism. - The toner image borne on the surface of each
photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto thepaper 4 by a negative transfer bias applied to thetransfer roller 19, as thepaper 4 on the conveyingbelt 18 passes through a transfer position between thephotosensitive drum 31 and thetransfer roller 19. Thepaper 4 with the toner images is conveyed to a fixingunit 43. - The fixing
unit 43 is disposed on the rear side of the conveyingbelt 18 within themain casing 2, and includes aheat roller 44, which is a driving roller, and apressing roller 45, which is a driven roller. Although not shown in the drawings, theheat roller 44 includes a heat source, such as a halogen lamp. Thepressing roller 45 is disposed in pressed contact with theheat roller 44. - In the fixing
unit 43, toner images of four colors are thermally fixed onto thepaper 4 as thepaper 4 is conveyed between theheat roller 44 and thepressing roller 45. Afterward, thepaper 4 with the toner images fixed thereon is conveyed by a conveyingroller 46 disposed diagonally above and rearward of the fixingunit 43 to dischargerollers 47 disposed in the upper section of themain casing 2. Then, thedischarge rollers 47 discharge thepaper 4 onto thedischarge tray 5. - A cleaning
roller 21 is disposed below thebelt unit 15 for removing toner, paper dust, and the like clinging to the conveyingbelt 18. The cleaningroller 21 includes a metal shaft coated with a foamed material made of silicon, and is in confrontation with thebackup roller 22 with the conveyingbelt 18 interposed therebetween. - A prescribed bias is applied between the cleaning
roller 21 and thebackup roller 22 for electrically attracting toner and the like carried on the surface of the conveyingbelt 18 toward the cleaningroller 21. Ametal collecting roller 23 is disposed in contact with the cleaningroller 21 for removing toner and the like deposited on the surface of the cleaningroller 21. Further, ablade 24 is disposed in contact with the collectingroller 23 for scraping off toner and the like carried on the surface of the collectingroller 23. - The construction for removing paper dust deposited on the
paper 4 will be described next. In thelaser printer 1, such a construction is provided on thefront cover 3 and inside the main casing 2 (here, the structure of thefront cover 3 is not included in the interior of the main casing 2). - The structure of the
front cover 3 will be described first. As shown inFIG. 1 , thefront cover 3 includes amain cover body 95 that blocks theaccess opening 2A of themain casing 2, a pair of left and right joiningparts 96 protruding from both side edges of themain cover body 95, and a mountingshaft 3A disposed on the lower edges of the joiningparts 96. The mountingshaft 3A is attached to a position near the lower edge of themain casing 2 on the front surface thereof so that thefront cover 3 can pivot about the mountingshaft 3A. Thefront cover 3 is capable of pivoting between a closed position shown inFIG. 1 closed over theaccess opening 2A, and an open position shown inFIG. 2 pivoted forward 90 degrees from the closed position (so that the front surface of themain cover body 95 is horizontal) for exposing theaccess opening 2A. - By opening the
front cover 3, as shown inFIG. 7 , it is possible to replace (remove and mount) theprocess unit 25 and thebelt unit 15 in themain casing 2 or to removepaper 4 that has become jammed inside themain casing 2. - The
main cover body 95 has a substantially triangular cross-section that increases in thickness toward the bottom. Theregistration roller 13A is mounted in the bottom end of themain cover body 95. A cover-side guide part 97 is formed integrally with the bottom surface of themain cover body 95 downstream (rearward) of theregistration roller 13A in the paper-conveying direction. The cover-side guide part 97 has a concave arc-shaped surface to correspond to the shape of the main-casing-side guide part 98. When thefront cover 3 is closed, the gap between the main-casing-side guide part 98 and the cover-side guide part 97 forms a paper-conveying path along which thepaper 4 is conveyed. - Hence, the
paper 4 conveyed by theregistration rollers 13 is guided along the cover-side guide part 97 and the main-casing-side guide part 98 so as to contact the top surface of the conveyingbelt 18 near the front edge thereof at an angle sloping downward. - Here, the
paper 4 is guided onto the conveyingbelt 18 at an angle because there is potential for thepaper 4 to float off the surface of the conveyingbelt 18 if thepaper 4 were to contact the surface of the conveyingbelt 18 while moving in a direction parallel to the surface. However, by guiding thepaper 4 onto the surface of the conveyingbelt 18 at an angle, thepaper 4 is pressed against the surface, ensuring that thepaper 4 remains in contact with the surface of the conveyingbelt 18. - An
accommodating chamber 68 is formed substantially in the lower half of themain cover body 95 for accommodating a paperdust removing unit 70 and anauger member 80 described below. - The paper
dust removing unit 70 functions to remove paper dust deposited on thepaper 4. The paperdust removing unit 70 includes theregistration roller 13A, asponge member 72, a paperdust receiving section 73, and anelastic member 69. Theregistration roller 13A functions as the paper dust removing roller for attracting paper dust deposited on thepaper 4 to the surface of theregistration roller 13A as thepaper 4 is conveyed by theregistration roller 13A. Thesponge member 72 is for scraping paper dust off the surface of theregistration roller 13A. The paperdust receiving section 73 is for receiving paper dust scraped off by thesponge member 72. Theelastic member 69 is a spring, for example. - The
registration roller 13A has a metal roller shaft that is oriented parallel to the mountingshaft 3A of thefront cover 3. The portion of the peripheral surface of theregistration roller 13A opposing theregistration roller 13B supported on themain casing 2 is exposed out of theaccommodating chamber 68. The surface of theregistration roller 13A is formed of a fluorocarbon resin that readily charges. As theregistration roller 13A rotates and contacts thesponge member 72 with friction, an static charge is produced on the surface of theregistration roller 13A. This static charge attracts paper dust from thepaper 4. - The roller shaft of the
registration roller 13A is supported in a support member (not shown) of themain cover body 95. When thefront cover 3 is closed, a motor (not shown) operating at a prescribed timing supplies a driving force via a gear mechanism linked to theregistration roller 13A for rotating theregistration roller 13A in the clockwise direction inFIG. 1 . The same motor also drives theregistration roller 13B in themain casing 2 to rotate counterclockwise inFIG. 1 so that a sheet ofpaper 4 interposed between theregistration rollers - The
sponge member 72 is configured of urethane foam or the like in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. One surface of thesponge member 72 is connected to an upper wall in theaccommodating chamber 68 via theelastic member 69. The elastic force of theelastic member 69 urges thesponge member 72 to contact the surface of theregistration roller 13A. The paperdust receiving section 73 is an arc-shaped depression extending along the entire width of the paper-conveying path. - With this construction, when the
registration roller 13A rotates in the clockwise direction, thesponge member 72 scrapes off paper dust from the surface of theregistration roller 13A, the paper dust builds up into clumps and falls into the paper dust receiving section 73 (seeFIG. 6 ). - The
auger member 80 is provided inside the paperdust receiving section 73 across the entire width thereof. As shown inFIG. 4 , theauger member 80 is integrally formed of ashaft member 82 and aspiral part 83 formed around theshaft member 82. An auger drive gear (not shown) is provided on one end of theshaft member 82 for inputting a driving force from a motor (not shown). The driving force inputted from the motor drives theauger member 80 to rotate. - The
spiral part 83 spirals around theshaft member 82 in different directions on either side of an approximate center point so that thespiral part 83 can convey paper dust in different directions. Hence, when theauger member 80 is rotated in a prescribed direction, the paper dust inside the paperdust receiving section 73 is conveyed to the nearest end of theauger member 80. -
Paper dust passages 81 are also formed in thefront cover 3 in communication with the paper dust receiving section 73 (FIG. 1 ) on the widthwise sides of the paper conveying direction. Thepaper dust passages 81 are vertically oriented tube-shaped members having a sufficient diameter to allow the passage of paper dust. Therefore, paper dust conveyed by theauger member 80 to both widthwise ends in themain casing 2 falls through thepaper dust passages 81. - The structure inside the
main casing 2 will be described next. As shown inFIG. 4 , a pair of paperdust collecting vessels 90 is provided inside themain casing 2, one at either widthwise end of the paper-conveying path. The paperdust collecting vessels 90 have space for accommodating paper dust that falls through thepaper dust passages 81. - Note that if the paper
dust collecting vessels 90 are disposed above the paper-conveying path, for example, there is generally little space for accommodating the paperdust collecting vessels 90. However, the paperdust collecting vessels 90 of thelaser printer 1 according to the illustrative aspects are disposed to a relatively large space outside the paper-conveying path. - Each of the paper
dust collecting vessels 90 includes afirst storage part 91 and asecond storage part 92, both shaped substantially like rectangular parallelepipeds. Thefirst storage part 91 is provided between the belt unit 15 (FIG. 1 ) and thesheet supply cassette 7, and beneath the paper-conveying path. Thesecond storage part 92 is disposed between thesheet supply cassette 7 and aside wall 2B of themain casing 2 and is in communication with thefirst storage part 91. - A
protruding part 91A protrudes upward from the top surface of eachfirst storage part 91. A through-hole 90A vertically penetrates the center region of eachprotruding part 91A. When thefront cover 3 is in a closed state, the through-holes 90A are in communication with thepaper dust passages 81, allowing paper dust passing through (falling through) thepaper dust passages 81 to collect in thefirst storage parts 91 and thesecond storage parts 92. - As described above, the
first storage parts 91 of the paperdust collecting vessels 90 are disposed between thebelt unit 15 and thesheet supply cassette 7 in a space below the paper-conveying path. Accordingly, this configuration not only effectively uses space below the paper-conveying path, but also ensures sufficient capacity for accommodating paper dust. Further, the paper dust can be accumulated naturally, rather than going against gravity. - This construction also makes effective use of space on the side of the
sheet supply cassette 7 by disposing thesecond storage part 92 of the paperdust collecting vessels 90 between thesheet supply cassette 7 and theside wall 2B of themain casing 2. - As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5 , aprotrusion 93 is provided on the bottom wall of eachfirst storage part 91 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom wall. Aninterference part 94 is provided on the upper portion of each side wall of thesheet supply cassette 7 and has a chevron-shaped protrusion on the top surface thereof. Theinterference part 94 is pivotably supported at one end by ashaft 94B. Anelastic member 94A, such as a spring, is disposed on the underside surface of theinterference part 94 for urging theinterference part 94 upward. When thesheet supply cassette 7 is pulled outward or inserted inward of themain casing 2, theinterference part 94 interferes with theprotrusion 93 as theinterference part 94 is urged by the elastic force of the elastic member, applying a vibration to the paperdust collecting vessels 90. This vibration has the effect of gradually evening the level of paper dust in the,first storage part 91 that has fallen through the through-hole 90A almost directly downward so that paper dust can more easily be stored in thesecond storage part 92 and the effect of reducing unevenness in the accumulated paper dust. - The pair of
registration rollers 13 described earlier together with the cover-side guide part 97 and the main-casing-side guide part 98 constitute afeeding unit 50 shown inFIG. 1 . As described earlier, after correcting skew in thepaper 4 supplied from thesheet supply rollers 12, theregistration rollers 13 convey thepaper 4 downstream (rearward) at a prescribed timing. At this time, the cover-side guide part 97 and the main-casing-side guide part 98 guide thepaper 4 onto the conveyingbelt 18 in thebelt unit 15. - If a paper jam occurs in the
laser printer 1 during a printing operation, the operator can pull thefront cover 3 forward from the closed position to the open position. Through this operation, theregistration roller 13A and the cover-side guide part 97 of thefeeding unit 50 move together with thefront cover 3 and separate from theregistration roller 13B and the main-casing-side guide part 98, respectively, thereby exposing the paper-conveying path. In this way, the paper-conveying path can be exposed by opening a portion of thefeeding unit 50 together with thefront cover 3, thereby facilitating an operation to resolve a paper jam. - As described above, the paper
dust removing unit 70 and theauger member 80 are provided on thefront cover 3 so as to be capable of moving together with thefront cover 3 when thefront cover 3 is opened. Hence, the paperdust removing unit 70 and theauger member 80 are not in the way when clearing a paper jam in themain casing 2, unlike when the paperdust removing unit 70 is fixed inside themain casing 2, thereby facilitating the resolution of paper jams. Further, since paper dust and other deposited matter is collected in the paperdust collecting vessels 90 provided inside themain casing 2, the paperdust collecting vessels 90 can more easily be provided with the required capacity for collecting paper dust than when provided on thefront cover 3. Further, since paper dust is collected in the paperdust collecting vessels 90 provided inside themain casing 2, paper dust is less likely to scatter when thefront cover 3 is opened than when the paperdust collecting vessels 90 are provided to thefront cover 3. - The
registration roller 13A functions to remove paper dust from thepaper 4. This construction minimizes the number of required rollers, thereby making thelaser printer 1 simpler and more compact. - Next, the mounting and removal operation for the
process unit 25 and thebelt unit 15 will be described. When mounting or removing theprocess unit 25 and thebelt unit 15, the operator pulls theprocess unit 25 forward when thefront cover 3 is in the open position shown inFIG. 2 . When pulled at this time, theprocess unit 25 moves diagonally upward along guiding means (not shown) provided in themain casing 2. Since thephotosensitive drums 31 in theprocess unit 25 separate from the conveyingbelt 18 through this operation, theprocess unit 25 can be smoothly pulled out of themain casing 2, without thephotosensitive drums 31 sliding in contact with the conveyingbelt 18. At this time, theprocess unit 25 is raised so that the bottom end of the process unit 25 (i.e., the bottom edges of the photosensitive drums 31) is positioned slightly higher than the height B1 to the top edge of the main-casing-side guide part 98. Subsequently, theprocess unit 25 is pulled forward in the horizontal direction while maintained at this height (seeFIG. 7 ). At this time, as shown inFIG. 7 , the highest edge of thefront cover 3 in the open position has a height C, which is lower than the height B1 by a distance B, thereby preventing thefront cover 3 from interfering with theprocess unit 25. - Hence, this construction not only prevents the
front cover 3 from interfering with theprocess unit 25 when theprocess unit 25 is removed through theaccess opening 2A of themain casing 2, but facilitates operations to resolve paper jams. - After removing the
process unit 25 from themain casing 2 in this way, the developingcartridges 34 become accessible and can be replaced outside themain casing 2. - It should be noted that if the topmost edge of the
front cover 3 in the open state were positioned higher than the feeding unit 50 (i.e., the main-casing-side guide part 98), as in the example indicated by a broken line inFIG. 2 , theprocess unit 25 would have to be lifted to a position higher than the topmost edge of thefront cover 3 when removing theprocess unit 25 in order to avoid interference with thefront cover 3. This would require additional space inside themain casing 2 to allow passage of theprocess unit 25, thereby leading to a larger device. However, since the topmost edge of thefront cover 3 in the open state is positioned lower than the main-casing-side guide part 98, there is no need to lift theprocess unit 25 higher to avoid interference with the main-casing-side guide part 98, thereby contributing to a more compact device. - Note that it is possible to change the open position of the
front cover 3 to a prescribed angle (a position slightly lower than the position indicated by the broken line inFIG. 2 ), such that at least a portion of the cover-side guide part 97 is lower than the height B1 of the main-casing-side guide part 98. Further, if the main-casing-side guide part 98 in themain casing 2 does not expand upward, the height C to the topmost edge of thefront cover 3 in the open position may be set to a height at least lower than the height of the main-casing-side guide part 98. For example, if the height of the main-casing-side guide part 98 and the height to the top surface of the conveyingbelt 18 are both the height A1, the height C to the uppermost edge of thefront cover 3 in the open position or at least a portion of the cover-side guide part 97 should be lower than the height A1 to the top surface of the conveyingbelt 18. (The height C is lower than the height Al by a distance A inFIG. 2 .) In order to replace thebelt unit 15, as shown inFIG. 8 , theprocess unit 25 is first removed from themain casing 2, as described above, and thebelt unit 15 is subsequently removed through theaccess opening 2A. - Next, a
laser printer 201 according to second illustrative aspects of the invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10 . In the following description, like parts and components with those in the first embodiment are designated with the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description. - Unlike the above-described
laser printer 1, thelaser printer 201 according to the second illustrative aspects has abelt unit case 100 for accommodating thebelt unit 15, as shown inFIG. 9 . With this construction, thebelt unit 15 is mounted and removed together with thebelt unit case 100. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , thebelt unit case 100 is integrally configured of a beltunit accommodating section 102 capable of accommodating theentire belt unit 15, and aguide member 101 for guiding-thepaper 4. - The belt
unit accommodating section 102 has a box shape and is slightly larger than thebelt unit 15. A through-hole 102A is formed in the bottom surface of the beltunit accommodating section 102 so that thebackup roller 22 confronts and contacts the cleaningroller 21 via the conveyingbelt 18. - The
guide member 101 is disposed on the front end of thebelt unit case 100. Theguide member 101 functions to guide thepaper 4 fed by thepickup roller 10 onto the conveyingbelt 18 in the same manner as the main-casing-side guide part 98 of the above-describedlaser printer 1. Note that the main-casing-side guide part 98 is dispensed with in thelaser printer 201 of the second illustrative aspects. - Paper dust through-holes 110 (only one is shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10 ) are formed through theguide member 101 on both widthwise ends of the paper-conveying path. Paper dust passages 181 (only one is shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 ) are formed in thefront cover 3 for allowing the passage of paper dust. Paper dust that falls through thepaper dust passages 181 passes through the paper dust through-holes 110 formed in theguide member 101 and accumulates in paperdust collecting vessels 190. - In order to remove the
belt unit 15, the operator first opens thefront cover 3 and removes theprocess unit 25 through theaccess opening 2A, as shown inFIG. 10 . Next, while theprocess unit 25 is removed from themain casing 2, the operator grips theguide member 101 and lifts thebelt unit case 100 slightly to disengage shaft receiving parts (not shown) supporting the shafts of thesupport rollers main casing 2 and functioning to position the shaft receiving parts. At this time, thebelt unit case 100 and thebelt unit 15 are removed integrally through theaccess opening 2A of themain casing 2. - With this construction, paper dust removed from the
paper 4 passes through the paper dust through-holes 110 and collects in the paperdust collecting vessels 190 disposed below thebelt unit 15. - Next, a
laser printer 301 according to third illustrative aspects of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 11 . In the following description, like parts and components with those in the first illustrative aspects are designated with the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description. - In the above-described
laser printer 1, thesecond storage parts 92 of the paperdust collecting vessels 90 are provided in gaps formed between thesheet supply cassette 7 and theside walls 2B of themain casing 2. However, as shown inFIG. 11 , thelaser printer 301 according to the third illustrative aspects has asheet supply cassette 117 that is wider than thesheet supply cassette 7 of the above-describedlaser printer 1, andsecond storage parts 111 of paperdust collecting vessels 290 are provided in thesheet supply cassette 117 on either side of thepaper 4, that is, in the ends of thesheet supply cassette 117 not occupied by thepaper 4. Accordingly, this construction not only effectively uses space inside thesheet supply cassette 117, but also enables the removal of paper dust when thesheet supply cassette 117 is pulled out of themain casing 2. - While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the above aspects thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.
- For example, in the above aspects, the
interference parts 94 provided on thesheet supply cassette 7 are configured to interfere with the paperdust collecting vessels 90. However, another structure may be employed to apply vibrations to the paperdust collecting vessels 90, such as a structure that disposes theinterference parts 94 on the paperdust collecting vessels 90. - Also, in the above aspects, paper dust is collected in the paper
dust collecting vessels 90. However, the laser printer may be configured to collect paper dust with a container having another shape and the like. - Further, the invention may also be applied to a device employing two colors of toner, such as red and black, or six colors of toner.
- Moreover, the
feeding unit 50 may also include a sensor for detecting the position of the paper, ribs for guiding the paper, and the like.
Claims (17)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
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JP2005252780A JP4487886B2 (en) | 2005-08-31 | 2005-08-31 | Image forming apparatus |
JP2005-252780 | 2005-08-31 | ||
JP2005-277899 | 2005-09-26 | ||
JP2005277899A JP4552819B2 (en) | 2005-09-26 | 2005-09-26 | Image forming apparatus |
Publications (2)
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US20070048006A1 true US20070048006A1 (en) | 2007-03-01 |
US7496317B2 US7496317B2 (en) | 2009-02-24 |
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US11/513,134 Active 2027-01-25 US7496317B2 (en) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-08-31 | Image-forming device facilitating resolution of paper jam |
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US20070231032A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-04 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus |
US20090190978A1 (en) * | 2008-01-29 | 2009-07-30 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming device having detachable drum unit |
US20130251396A1 (en) * | 2012-03-22 | 2013-09-26 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Opening and closing mechanism and image forming apparatus |
US8725057B2 (en) | 2010-05-12 | 2014-05-13 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image formation apparatus |
US9008536B2 (en) | 2011-09-30 | 2015-04-14 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus having paper dust cleaning unit movably provided on photosensitive member unit |
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JP4487927B2 (en) * | 2005-12-26 | 2010-06-23 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP4948489B2 (en) | 2007-08-10 | 2012-06-06 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP5229348B2 (en) * | 2011-03-29 | 2013-07-03 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
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JP5849066B2 (en) * | 2013-05-27 | 2016-01-27 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
CN204903945U (en) * | 2015-08-11 | 2015-12-23 | 珠海奔图电子有限公司 | Image forming device |
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